Randomised controlled trial of paediatric magnetic positioning device assisted colonoscopy: a pilot and feasibility study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Complete colonoscopy is critical for the evaluation of many paediatric gastrointestinal diseases. The aim of the study was to investigate the feasibility of magnetic positioning device for paediatric colonoscopy and to compare completion rate and procedure time with and without the device.

METHODS

Prospective randomised controlled trial of standard colonoscopy compared to magnetic positioning device assisted colonoscopy in children and adolescents ages 7-20 years was performed.

RESULTS

Analysis showed that the proportion of successfully completed colonoscopies were 19/20 (95%) in the MP arm versus 17/18 (94.4%) in the SC arm, p=NS. The median time to complete colonoscopy to the cecum was 16.5 min (range 6-52 min) in the MP arm and 12 min (range 6-33 min) in the SC arm, p=NS.

CONCLUSIONS

Our preliminary data suggest that the use of magnetic positioning device for colonoscopy is feasible in paediatric patients. These data suggest that the use of magnetic positioning device may not be of benefit for experienced endoscopists who achieved very high colonoscopy completion rates without the MP device. Further studies are needed to determine its role in paediatric colonoscopy since this device may be of more benefit for physicians in training.